A group of around 15 artists met at the Commercial Hotel in Young on Tuesday to celebrate the end of an era.
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The South West Porcelain Artists Association for the past 32-years has held annual exhibitions and raised thousands of dollars which was donated through the South West including to local hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance stations, CareFlight and CanAssist as well as many other organisations.
President of the group Robyn Moore said the meeting on Tuesday was "a time to turn the pages and close a chapter which has played a very worthwhile and fulfilling part of our lives."
"Sadly our membership numbers have declined and we now have very few porcelain artists left painting in the south west," Mrs Moore said.
"It is costing the association more money to keep it going than what we can afford."
According to Mrs Moore the costs to the Department of Fair Trading and having the books audited each year has been eating into the organisations funds.
"I feel very sad that it has come to this but unfortunately it is time to close our Association, pay any outstanding debts and designate a charity to donate any left over funds," she said.
During the meeting Mrs Moore implored those in attendance who still paint to continue with the craft.
"Continue to meet as often as you can, continue to encourage each other and preserve porcelain art in your area," she said.
"Unfortunately many of our members are no longer with us and I ask you to reflect on each and every one of them.
I ask you to pay tribute to them and remember them with great affection. Each one played an important role in the formation of the South West Porcelain Artists Association and all it stood for."
The South West Porcelain Artists Association had members from Young and the surrounding areas all the way to Dubbo, with the number now dwindling to the low double digits.
Every year a host town would be selected where the group would hold an exhibition as well as watch demonstrations, purchase supplies and learn new techniques.
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